New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-02
WHAT PEOPLE THINK AND SAP.
EARNINGS OF CAPITAL AND LABOR.

To the Bdftor Of TIE Trtbwne
SIR The leaders of the Knights tell their fellows that
Labor receives only 20 per cent of what 1t earns and
that capital and midoemen pocket the other 70 per
cent Hence, as they claim, the hours of labor
present rates Of wages doubled which would be four
aSsr as at % and
featuring statistics of the OF $780, where the
footings read something like this: Capital employed,
81. 600. 900 900; valIe of production, " 600 0OO
900; wages paid to labor, 81 600. 900, 600: Thus
the apparent profit of capital is 49, 600 600 OOO and
labor Is cheated of its dues that puch less per cent
interest capita (of say 100000 not lose to
So, $50, doc. 900 per annum and this on manufact-
urng industry alone.
The census statistical tables have done infinite mis-
cnief, because they are unloading they make no
rails used In manufacture which often represent more
than 70 per cent of the selling price Of the finished
coal into coke of wheat luto -four flour into bread,
into alcohol, barley into malt, malt into beer,
hogs into pork or hams or bacon or sausage cattle
sEen rsn In all these
and hundreds OF others constitute the chief item OF
cost in the product The has statistics Gov
cost Of repairs of machinery and Plant none OF
placements. mono Of insurance, taxes, light, water
telegraphing stationery postage, rents interest on
borrowed money advertising pamphlets cards, etc.;
mono of agents commissions, saleamens salaries,
drummers' expenses, bad debts. unstable goods
from changes of fashion, improvements of style caused
BY new patents and far az can discover the
sns tables don't even include clerk and bookkeeper
hire nor personal services OF propr'etor', OF whom
there are half million. The Tables on sccount OF
done great mischief have often asked knights
this question II the pronts Of manufacturing are so
enormous as you say, why do so MANY men and com
nearly ali cooperative labor manufacturing aud in
dustria enterprises go into bankruptcy The press
must discuss these grave questions moro thoroughly,
and hammer and pound the hard facts Into the pubic
mind
The real cause of the dissatisfaction Of the
labor mind with things may be traced to the cursed
earnings and demoraizes their Industrial habits.
Around this harbor (New-York, Brooklyn and Jersey
City; $5O,0OO,OOO of wage workers earnings are
squandered tor liquor per annum,, and the more
wages they the moro they drink, and tnn is tho
despair of the situation I'M.
Ne,c- York, JAM 81, 1887.
lit must be admitted that the above criticisms
Of the census are deserved. as Commissioner Of the
Census General Walker has after all proved fail
ure.-Ed
DETECTING TO MR. BRODsKYs CRITICISM.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR In interview with your reporter inyour issue
Of Thursday under the heading OF the Cregan case
Mr.. Brodsky has stated that there were only two
persons who furnished anything like direct evidence
against Mr. Cregan, and these were persons whose
character would preclude their testimony having
weight in any COURT
Now, being one OF the two who were referred to in
thi, instance wish to state that this talk with
bad grace from like Mr.. Brodsky, who has figured
conspicuously for some years In Republican county
affairs. | have no objection TO Mr. Brodskys dis
creditng Witnesses if he chooses to do, but when
he assas my character by an insinuation not
warranted by the evidence he certainly goes out OF his
way.
Thave lived in the XVIth District for the last twenty
five years have tor the last eight years worked at my
trade as painter enlisted IN the Union during
the dark days OF 1853 and served in the 9Th New.
York volunteers till was honoraby discharged. and
am a member in good standing OF the Thomas +.
Meagher Post, 567 G.. A. r., with rank of sergeant
major. | have been Republican for five years past.
not for spo but for principle and il reputation as
honest man and a citizen does not compare with
Mr. Cregans OF the witnesses IN his behalf then
might merit Mr.. Brodskys criticism II there Is any
thing that might throw cloud my reputation il
is the tact that served election district captain
under Michael Cregan. JAMES j. MCKEE.
No. 3l5 East lueniy:fowth-st Aetc- York. JAN 70,
1887